Acquiring a passport within 48 hours: A guide.

Looking to apply for a new passport in an emergency? When your loved ones are abroad, it's always a good idea to keep your Australian passport up to date just in case of unexpected travel needs. In case of emergencies where you need to make a last-minute overseas trip and your passport has expired, here's what you need to do for an urgent application.

Instead of waiting for three to six weeks for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to process the passport, opt for priority processing with the Passport RAPID service. Visit a selected Australia Post location to apply for this priority processing service and have your passport ready for mailing or collection in just two business days. Keep in mind that this service will cost you almost twice as much as regular processing.

Who can apply for priority processing? Priority processing is available in Australia and London, but you can't get it if you're applying for a child without full parental consent or if you've lost two or more passports in the past five years. You must also have a compassionate or compelling reason, like the death or serious illness of an immediate family member or unexpected business travel, to be eligible for this service.

Here's how to get your passport renewed in less than two business days. Call 131 232 to schedule a lodgement appointment at a passport office, bring supporting documentation such as a letter from your doctor or employer, and lodge your application for priority processing at a selected Australia Post location before midday on a business day. If you're overseas, contact your nearest Australian diplomatic or consular mission to discuss your options.

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